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Update:
The Energy Commission has released
a call for test data using revision (2.2) to the Final California Battery Charger Systems Test Procedure . A test data template is required. In just the last two decades, product convenience has improved by leaps and bounds with the growth of an entirely new family of products that incorporate batteries instead of relying always on the wall plug to supply electricity. For larger products, these batteries can even replace the combustion engine. The once common disclaimer “Batteries not included” is slowly becoming a thing of the past as numerous manufacturers incorporate rechargeable batteries and custom chargers into their products so that consumers need only plug a device into the wall to “refill the tank.”
What do we mean when we say "battery charger systems"?
Battery charger systems include the following three components:
Battery and charger systems are used in a wide range of products and differ mainly in size (the amount of power that is meant to flow through the charger when it is recharging batteries) and battery chemistry. Four battery chemistries currently dominate the market, including: nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-Ion), and sealed lead acid (SLA). How many battery chargers are in use Current market research conducted by Ecos suggests that battery powered products consume over 30 billion kWh of electricity annually, enough to power the state of Connecticut. Anywhere from 40% to as much as 80% of that energy could be saved cost effectively through relatively simple design improvements. How can I find today's most efficient battery chargers?
What is the definition of efficiency? The operation of battery chargers can be broken down into three distinct modes. The first is charge mode. This is the time when the battery charger is actively charging a connected battery. So-called “rapid” battery chargers that force high amounts of charge into batteries in a short period of time can consume a lot of energy in this mode.
Once the battery is fully charged, the battery charger enters the second mode of operation: battery maintenance mode. Battery chargers usually consume less power in this mode than when they are actually charging a battery, but some inexpensive consumer appliances continue to draw a high level of power in battery maintenance mode, even after the battery is completely charged. The third and final mode of operation is called standby mode. This is the time when the battery charger is connected to a wall outlet but the charger is not connected to a battery or a battery-containing product. This situation might occur, for example, if someone leaves their cell phone AC adapter plugged in by their nightstand so that they can charge their cell phone when they go to bed. The AC adapter will continue to draw power from the wall outlet during the day even when it isn’t connected to the cell phone.
Different organizations have developed slightly different methods for defining and measuring efficiency in battery chargers, particularly when it comes to charge mode. A test procedure that focuses on power tools, lawn care products, hygiene products, and kitchen tools is available from the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. Ecos Consulting and EPRI have developed a separate and more comprehensive test procedure for all types of residential and commercial battery charger systems under work funded by the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). |
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What's new? NEW! California Energy Commission Call for Data NEW! Battery Charger Data Collection Template NEW! Revision 2.2 Final California Battery Charger Systems Test Procedure Events California Energy Commissions 2008 Title 20 Rulemaking May 30, 2007 Battery Charger Systems Test Procedure Workshop November 2005 California Battery Charger Systems Test Procedure Workshop Research Battery Charger Technical Primer Energy Commission Battery Charger Presentation 2006 Energy Commission Battery Charger Presentation NRDC Battery Charger Report NRDC Battery Charger Efficiency PPT NRDC Laptop Efficiency Summary Test Methods Revision 1.2 Final California Battery Charger Test Procedure Revision 1.1 Final California Battery Charger Test Procedure Final California Battery Charger Test Procedure Working Draft California Battery Charger Test Procedure Draft 2 California Battery Charger Test Procedure EPA ENERGY STAR Battery Charger Test Method Programs and Policies U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Battery Charger Standards Web Page ENERGY STAR battery charger specification ENERGY STAR external power supply specification Other Useful Info Information on EPA Battery Act Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Links To view many of the downloadable files on this site, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader:
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Laptops, cordless tools, electric golf carts, cordless phones, electric toothbrushes, portable music players, cell phones – all are dependent to some extent on rechargeable batteries. These products offer substantial economic and environmental advantages over products powered by throwaway batteries and are more convenient than corded products. Certain products, like cordless tools, might not even be feasible without custom rechargeable batteries. However, every rechargeable battery-powered product wastes some amount of energy in the process of charging a battery – energy that cannot be used by the product, but which still appears on the user’s electric bill and results in increased air pollution from power plants. Using more efficient rechargeable battery-powered products saves energy and ensures that these costs stay to a minimum.
Send questions or comments to efficientproducts@ecosconsulting.com.